New name, new focusK-STATE'S ANIMAL RESOURCE FACILITY BECOMES THE COMPARATIVE MEDICINE GROUP

MANHATTAN -- To demonstrate Kansas State University's commitment to setting, achieving and maintaining high standards for animal care and use in science, the university's Animal Resource Facilityis being centralized under the vice president for research.

Veterinarian Dr. Jerry Jaax, associate vice president for research compliance and university veterinarian, said the unit also has been renamed the Comparative Medicine Group.

"This core animal care unit brings professional oversight, training and service to various campus animal care and use facilities. This realignment dovetails with the inclusion of all campus biomedical and behavioral research activities in the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care -- International unit," Jaax said.

More than 770 institutions in 31 countries have earned the association's international accreditation, making it a symbol of quality recognized around the world, Jaax said.

The Comparative Medicine Group will provide a full range of veterinary support and services for campus biomedical and behavioral research activities.

Veterinarian Dr. Kerry Taylor, a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, is the new director of the Comparative Medicine Group, and will report centrally through Jaax's office to the vice president for research. The Comparative Medicine Group office is located in 103 Coles Hall.